Sponsor Alliance


We, the undersigned, greatly value UKTI business schemes such as the trade fair (SESA) and mission schemes that provide us with financial and practical support to develop export sales. We further appreciate the role of business intermediaries, such as trade associations and chambers of commerce in adding value and sector expertise in the delivery of these schemes to industry. We are dismayed that the present Government is prepared to use public funds, previously used for UK trade development, to attract foreign firms to invest in the UK on favourable terms and in direct competition with us. We accept the need to reduce the cost of the Civil Service to the public, but query if the use of funds, previously used to support us to exhibit abroad, to employ 400 international trade advisers is in keeping with Treasury policy. We urge the incoming Government to review UKTI policy, not agreed with us and to engage with our industry representatives (ATOs) in determining a new strategy for supporting SME exporters, which we can endorse.
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		About Sponsors Alliance


		As industry representative bodies, we believe we are best placed to promote our industry sectors and to manage business schemes. We firmly believe that trade development must be managed nationally and with sector expertise. Under current proposals, however, it will be left to each of the Regions to consider whether, or not to support national initiatives with funding.



		Campaign

		We once again have to battle to retain a nationally run and properly funded trade fair scheme; something Labour promised Business on first coming to power in 1997. The Scheme is particularly effective. Not only does it support many companies to establish sales in overseas markets, it also provides Accredited Trade Organisations opportunity to earn from delivering the Scheme to industry, thereby enabling us to engage actively with UKTI in promoting trade. Election 2005 Sponsors' Alliance Campaign Manifesto